Part of The Gray Wolf Journey is developing all three treasures; Jing, Qi, and Shen.
Jing: Matter or Body
Qi: Energy or Mind
Shen: Consciousness, Awareness, or Spirit
That means we must work not to just know about something but to understand, embody and be able to recognize it in the real world - so that we can create and change or reality.
My Grandmaster does not want me to remember what he told me. Instead, he challenges me to understand and embody it and then find 108 different ways to explain it.
In this publication, I will share some of the direct transmissions from my grandmaster from time to time. Others, I will take the essence of our discussions and tell it in different context(s).
Below, I’ve taken a real life experience with Grandmaster Leone and turned it into a story which, of course, features…. wolves. =)
"It's Time To GTFO"
On Gray Wolf Mountain, the day was crisp with the early hints of winter. Tide, the wise gray wolf, sat at the edge of a high ridge, his blue eyes scanning the horizon as the wind whispered through the trees. His calm presence was a beacon of stillness, much like the energy he would soon teach the young wolves about—the ebb and flow of Yin and Yang.
The pack had gathered for a rare event—a party held by a neighboring wolf pack. As the evening wore on, the atmosphere shifted from the quiet stillness of the beginning to the rising energy of excitement. Tide had noticed Jasper and Ember among the crowd, their contrasting personalities already evident.
Jasper, ever the challenger, surged through the throngs of wolves, pushing boundaries and testing limits, while Ember, the gentle spark, flitted between conversations, her calm demeanor radiating warmth. They were opposites in many ways, and yet they continued to grow closer over the years.
Tide knew it was time to intervene.
He approached the pair, watching them as they stood on the edge of the party, feeling the rising intensity of the energy around them. The music had grown louder, the laughter more exuberant, and the air felt thick with unspoken tensions.
“Yang of Yang,” Tide said softly,
“Let’s get out of here.”
Jasper turned, the fire in his eyes still burning with the excitement of the party. Ember, always attuned to the subtleties, felt the shift in the air. It was time to go, before things began to unravel.
They followed Tide back to Gray Wolf Mountain in silence, the long shadows of the forest growing longer as they made their way home. The cool night air seemed to quiet the buzzing in their minds, and as they reached the base of the mountain, Tide paused, turning to face them.
The pack had gathered in their den, and Tide settled down with Jasper and Ember. “There is a lesson in what we just experienced,” he began. “A lesson about energy, about the cycles that move through everything in the world—through our lives, our relationships, and through nature itself.”
Tide began to speak of the cycle that water goes through, explaining how energy—just like water—shifts through different phases. “Energy doesn’t stay in one place,” he said. “It rises, peaks, falls, and then returns to stillness. It’s a cycle that repeats endlessly.”
The Water Cycle: A Lesson in The Movement of Energy
1. Yin of Yin – Still Water on the Ground (Before the Party)Tide’s voice was steady, his words carrying the weight of experience. “At the start, before anything happens, there is stillness. Think of the lake at the base of the mountain—calm and undisturbed. This is where everything begins. Energy is dormant here. Before the party began, this was the state we were in—preparation, potential waiting to unfold.”
Ember’s eyes softened as she reflected on this. She knew this phase well—calm and peaceful, a time to prepare and ground herself. For Jasper, though, the stillness felt uncomfortable. He was always itching to move, to act, to break the silence. But he stayed quiet, sensing that there was something deeper here to learn.
2. Yang of Yin – Evaporation (Energy Rising)“Energy starts to rise, much like how water turns into vapor when the sun heats it. It’s the first stirrings of movement—subtle, but inevitable,” Tide continued. “The energy at the party was just beginning to stir. The first guests had arrived, and the atmosphere was buzzing, but it wasn’t quite time for full action.”
Jasper, always eager to take the lead, felt the pull of this phase. He could feel the energy building around him. His instincts told him to dive in, to feel the rush, to push forward. Ember, on the other hand, watched more closely. The energy was rising, yes, but she knew it wasn’t the peak. She waited, observing how the party would unfold.
3. Yang of Yang – The Clouds (Peak Energy at the Party)“Then comes the peak,” Tide said, his voice rising with the intensity of the memory. “The energy is at its full potential, like the clouds reaching their highest point. At the party, this was the moment when everyone was alive with excitement, dancing, laughing, and speaking over each other. The music blared, the room was full, and it felt like nothing could go wrong.”
Jasper’s eyes lit up at this moment. He thrived in this phase—he was the life of the party, feeding off the energy. Ember, however, felt the shift, the tension. The energy was high, but there was a sense of instability that grew beneath the surface. She felt it in her bones—the energy couldn’t sustain itself forever.
4. Yin of Yang – Rainfall (Energy Falling)“But as always, energy must fall,” Tide continued, his eyes knowing. “What goes up must come down. The clouds cool, and rain begins to fall, just as the party starts to wind down. People began leaving, some slowed by drinking, others simply tired. The energy shifted from peak to descent.”
Jasper’s enthusiasm waned as the excitement started to die down. He had been caught in the rush of the Yang, but now, as things began to fade, he felt uncertain. Ember, however, was more at ease. She understood the cyclical nature of energy and was able to move gracefully into this phase, ready for the quiet.
Tide reminded them that even though parties can give you energy, especially in the yang of yin and yang of yang phases, they can just easily take it from you in the yin of yang phase(s).
5. Back to Yin of Yin – Still Water (The Party Is Over)“Finally, we return to stillness,” Tide finished. “The party is over, the last guest has left, and the energy is still. The space is empty, but that is not a bad thing. It’s a chance to reflect, to learn, and to prepare for the next cycle. Energy always comes back, in new ways, when the time is right.”
Jasper felt the weight of this lesson. He had been so caught up in the Yang, in the excitement and the rush, that he hadn’t realized the consequences of staying just a little too long.
Jasper and Ember both sat in appreciation, understanding why Tide had told them to leave when they did. To this day, Jasper and Ember are hyper-attuned to the cycle of energy and use “yang of yang” as code word for “it’s time to get out of here”.
The Cycle of Energy in Nature and Life
Tide explained that just as water shifts through these phases, so too does everything in life. The seasons change, relationships ebb and flow, and personal growth mirrors the same transitions.
“We are no different than the water,” Tide said. “We move through the cycles of Yin and Yang. The key is to understand where you are in the cycle and to act accordingly. When you know when to rise, when to peak, when to fall, and when to rest, you will move through life with balance.”
Jasper looked over at Ember, his restless energy now tempered by understanding. Ember, in turn, found herself nodding, grateful for the stillness that allowed her to reflect.
They both knew that this was not the end of the lesson but a beginning. The next phase would come, and with it, new opportunities for growth. They understood now that they were not bound to one phase forever; they had the power to move through the cycle with intention - and learn to recognize what phase of the cycle they were in at any given moment.
As Tide rose to leave, he looked back at them with a soft smile. “Energy is always in motion and it always follows the same cycle. Now that you’ve seen it once, you’ll start to see it everywhere.”
Lessons Learned:
Tide’s lesson that day became a core teaching for Jasper and Ember. The cycles of Yin and Yang, the flow of energy, became a framework they could use in every aspect of their lives—from the quiet moments of reflection to the moments of intense action.
What mattered was knowing when to move, when to rest, and when to embrace the full force of the cycle. And in doing so, they became more balanced wolves—better equipped to navigate the ever-changing world around them.
Understanding the cycle of energy gave them the ability to “see around corners” or “into the matrix.”
In The End…
Together, they stood on the mountain, watching the sun set in the distance. The world was in motion, just as they were—moving through the cycles of life, understanding when to rise, when to peak, and when to fall. And as the moon began to rise, they knew that the cycle was never-ending—it was their journey, always in progress, always transforming.
RECAP
Yin of Yin: Before action, the preparation, stillness, and potential energy.
Yang of Yin: The beginning of transformation, the rising energy, the moment before full activation.
Yang of Yang: The peak of energy, intensity, and full expression.
Yin of Yang: The descent, where energy stabilizes and slows, before returning to stillness.
Back to Yin of Yin: Stillness, rest, reflection, and preparation for the next cycle.
LESSONS & PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Like water transitions through Yin of Yin, Yang of Yin, Yang of Yang, Yin of Yang, and back to Yin of Yin, we can apply this framework to various aspects of reality. By understanding the phases of yin yang, you can see where anything is in its life cycle and that can help you discern what YOU should do.
1. Fire and Heat (Thermal Energy)
Yin of Yin: Cold ashes, a completely burned-out fire, dormant embers.
Yang of Yin: The first sparks of a flame, kindling catching fire.
Yang of Yang: A roaring, active fire at full intensity.
Yin of Yang: The fire starts to settle; embers remain, but the flames weaken.
Return to Yin of Yin: The fire completely dies down, and the ashes cool.
Application: This is a metaphor for momentum in business, relationships, or personal motivation—starting cold, gaining energy, reaching a peak, and eventually cooling down.
2. Human Life Cycle (Birth to Death)
Yin of Yin: The moment before conception—potential energy in stillness.
Yang of Yin: Conception, gestation, and early childhood—growth begins.
Yang of Yang: Peak adulthood—full energy, strength, and activity.
Yin of Yang: Aging, slowing down—wisdom increases while physical strength fades.
Return to Yin of Yin: Death, returning to stillness, but leaving an imprint (legacy).
Application: This can be seen in life planning, leadership, and the importance of knowing when to act and when to rest.
3. Economic & Financial Cycles
Yin of Yin: A recession or market crash—investors are fearful, no movement.
Yang of Yin: Early recovery—smart investors accumulate assets.
Yang of Yang: Market boom—high optimism, rising prices, economic expansion.
Yin of Yang: Market peak—overconfidence, speculation, slowing growth.
Return to Yin of Yin: Economic downturn or crash—excess collapses, resetting the cycle.
Application: Investing and business cycles follow natural energy flows—knowing the stage helps predict trends.
4. Relationships & Emotional Cycles
Yin of Yin: Emotional withdrawal, solitude—lack of connection.
Yang of Yin: Attraction and early interest—energy starts moving.
Yang of Yang: Passion, excitement—strong emotions, peak of connection.
Yin of Yang: Stabilization—less intensity, deeper understanding.
Return to Yin of Yin: Detachment, cooling off, or separation.
Application: Recognizing these phases helps in understanding relationship dynamics, preventing burnout, and fostering long-term connection.
5. War & Strategy (The Art of Victory)
Yin of Yin: Absolute stillness—preparation, deception, waiting.
Yang of Yin: Small movements—gathering intelligence, testing the opponent.
Yang of Yang: Full battle engagement—direct confrontation.
Yin of Yang: Retreat or consolidation—regrouping, conserving energy.
Return to Yin of Yin: War ends, the battlefield is silent—strategy resets.
Application: Sun Tzu’s Art of War emphasizes this cycle: “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.” Knowing when to move and when to wait is the essence of power.
Everything Moves in Cycles
Everything—Qi, matter, emotions, economics, relationships—moves through this five-stage process. Mastering these transitions allows one to anticipate and align with natural rhythms rather than resist them.
The Journey Around The Sun and The Gray Wolf
Each relationship or engagement has it’s own mini-cycle that echoes the one above.
The universe also has cycles we call “Journey Around The Sun”.
Gray Wolf and our partner companies will be flipping the switch July 1 to fully integrate The Journey Around the Sun - a structure to teach, learn, grow, build, and play in alignment with the season.
To celebrate this, The Gray Wolf book set will likely be published in July. If you’re a subscriber to The Gray Wolf (this publication) you’ll get notified if you’re interested.
Live to learn. Give to Earn.
Nic & The Gray Wolf Team